'Border Bandits' Summary

Buel's 'Border Bandits' chronicles the lives of Jesse and Frank James, two of the most notorious outlaws in American history. The book begins with their involvement in the Confederate guerrilla movement during the Civil War and follows their transition into a life of crime after the war. Their exploits included daring bank and train robberies, violent confrontations with law enforcement, and a constant evasion of capture. The book offers a detailed account of their numerous crimes, their close relationships with other outlaws, and the social and political context of their era. It also explores the complex and often romanticized mythology surrounding the James brothers, dissecting their notoriety, their supposed Robin Hood-like image, and their ultimate fates. 'Border Bandits' is a captivating exploration of the lives of two men who embodied the lawlessness and hardship of the Wild West and left an indelible mark on American folklore.